George Russell claimed a dominant pole position at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix as his team-mate Kimi Antonelli completed a front-row lockout for Mercedes.
Having unleashed pace earlier on Saturday in final practice that many suspected Mercedes had been holding back, Russell was in a class of his own at Albert Park as he finished almost three tenths clear of Antonelli.
The Italian teenager’s participation in the session had been in major doubt after his huge crash in final practice, but Mercedes repaired his car just in time for him to get on track in the closing stages of Q1.
Mercedes’ cause was aided by Q1 being delayed by Max Verstappen crashing out of the first part of qualifying, but there was consolation for Red Bull as the four-time world champion’s new team-mate Isack Hadjar took a hugely impressive third behind the Silver Arrows.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Australian GP schedule
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As Formula 1 enters a new era, Tate McRae’s GRAMMY-nominated Just Keep Watching will become the new title track for Sky Sports’ F1 coverage this season and beyond
Saturday March 7
9.45pm: F3 Feature Race*
Sunday March 8
12.20am: F2 Feature Race*
2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
6am: Australian GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
7am: Ted’s Notebook*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP highlights (also on Sky One)*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
